CEO.com | The 20 Most Creative CEOs of 2013

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu was named one of the 20 Most Creative CEOs of 2013 by ceo.com

Raised in an Ethiopian village, Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu noticed, “We had lots of artisan talent, but no job opportunities.” So she created one—many, in fact, by starting soleRebels, a shoe company that pays fairly and uses local materials such as hand-spun cotton and recycled tires.

The shoes are now sold at Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods. "We don’t want to make a pity product,” says Alemu. “We want people to buy our shoes because they look good.”